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June 22, 2013

On the Road: Princeton University

Note: I have not been accepted to Princeton. I haven't even applied yet! This post is just a few musings about my visit.

Well friends, the long-awaited first installment of the college visit post is hereee! I know you've all been waiting on the edge of your seats, unable to sleep at night and everything (;

As soon as you saw the words "Princeton University," many of you must have reacted like such: "Dang girl, you're shooting reeeaally high."

Yes, I am. I have no shortage of ambition. I have no shortage of impossible-sounding goals. But I also happen to have no shortage of determination and dedication.

"What schools have you visited?" My friends ask.

"Well, there's WashU in St. Louis, Princeton, UPenn, and we're going to Vanderbilt soon," I think for a moment and list them off.

The look on some of their faces is a mixture of incredulity and amusement. It's déjà vu--it's still fresh in my mind from when I told them I really, really, really (did I mention really?) wanted to be a National Merit Semi-finalist. No matter how hard you work, no matter how smart people may think you are, things like this are always a long shot.

I still remember subjecting myself to painful, long, countless practice tests every single weekend. I still remember doing a section of a practice SAT every single night. Oh, you can bet I still remember it all.

The days leading up to when our PSAT scores came back were a mess. I poured out all my worries to my friends. I rocked back and forth, breathing heavily and whimpering (mostly out of my characteristic histrionics).

Then the day came. I flipped open the packet and happy numbers greeted me. I shrieked, jumping up and down, wrapping my friend in a crazed hug. My old English teacher rushed outside to the hallway because he thought I had died or something.

While we don't get the official confirmation letter until the fall, Ohio's average scores would've had to drastically change for me not to make the cut. Nothing is ever guaranteed; something could've gone wrong--anything really can happen. But because I had wanted that so badly, I hadworked my my butt off to make my chances as favorable as possible.

Moral of the story? It really all comes down to how much you want something. How much it would mean for you to achieve it. How much you're willing to sweat, labor, and toil to get there.

What I want is for my three years thus far of working my butt off in high school to pay off. What I want is an application that I'm proud to say is mine. What I want is a school that fits me well. What I want is a school where I can be happy. What I want is a school that will prepare me best for the real world.

Is that school Princeton? After a visit on a rainy day, I can heartily say yes. The setting is mostly suburban. They have a variety of strong major programs so ole indecisive me can pick and choose. The campus has that closed feel. The running club competes. The non-major orchestra is fantastic. The study abroad rate is high. The self-initiative is strong. The thesis requirement intrigues me. The school has no shortage of money to give generous scholarships.

The place very well feels like somewhere I could be happy for another four years or more.

The cute little town setting across the street charmed me immediately...and take a look at that sticker on a store window below...am I ever glad haha!

Yes, I'm aiming high. Yes, I could very well miss my shot. The odds are against me, but God has a perfect plan, crafted just for me, and this could be part of it, or it might not.

This is one of those things when you have to try your very hardest, but can't expect anything. This is one of those things when how much you want it really matters. You put your application together with ginger care, you craft a beautiful essay, you work your butt off to get the grades and test scores, you send it out, and the rest is no longer in your hands. This will be me in a few short months.

It scares me, but that's how you know that your dream is a good one.

Do I want it enough? Is it meant to be?

Only time will tell.

This post is much too lengthy for another of my tales, so I'll be sharing the story of how I came up with a possible career path next time!

Oh, and since GFC is soon departing us, it would tickle me pink if you followed Burst of Color on Bloglovin! There's a lovely little tool on Bloglovin that lets you import your Google Reader blogs (so you don't have to slave away moving all your daily reads one by one!) Click here, my lovelies. And of course, don't fret. If I drop by your blog regularly and/or occasionally shout your name in the beginning of my comments, I've long since given you a place in my "Favorites" group on Bloglovin.

As much as it pains me to leave your comments unanswered, my violin and AP Lit homework have been very lonely today. I'll be out and about the blogosphere tomorrow, visiting all your lovely sites.

You know what? This is so inspiring to read Lily. You are such a hard worker, and I feel a bit sheepish with how I haven't pushed myself as hard as I could have. God has a plan though for each of us, and who knows which college you'll end up at. If its at Princeton though, that would be amazing! :)

Hi there! I'm new to your blog and love this post I'm reading here. It's so great that you know what you really want and went all out for it! Though some things are still not in our control but at least we done what we could to put us in the best position. So good luck with your application. And hey cute outfit! Dots with stripes are so fun!

You DESERVE to aim high, Lily! I can tell that you're a very intelligent girl full of potential and ambition, and I am so so glad that you are working to live up to any expectations of yourself that you've created. You're awesome, okay? And I am so happy that you're happy about your scores. Happiness all around! (jumps with you)

And also happy that you didn't die from excitement, of course. Good thing your teacher checked on you. ;) That was cute to read!

Your hard work will pay off. You're determined and that's one thing colleges look for--if you want it, you can get it!

your comment on my blog was really nice! You seem like a person with a lot of positive energy - and I certainly like your sense of style too, so funky! I became a follower and I hope you'll come across my blog some time in the future too :) Have a nice day, Larajust-anotherfashionblog.blogspot.com

Wow!! congratulations! I am so proud of you! Princeton is a fantastic university and I'm so excited for you! You'll have a lot of fun :) Wow, I feel so old saying all this because college seemed so long ago... I totally remember the stress of all the standardized exams :) You look lovely in these pictures by the way, and I'm excited to see all your fashion creations in college!

Princeton! Wow girl, you are incredible! Sounds like you deserve every bit to be there! I can imagine how much hard work and dedication went into getting where you are! Congrats girl! can't wait to hear where you end up going! Oh, and your outfit is super cute! I'm loving the mix of polka dots and stripes, that top is adorable :)Jessihttp://haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com

I surely admire your ambition and determination, Lily, especially if one sets his/her bar to Ivy League schools. Wishing you all the best if you do become a Princeton Tiger. Speaking of tigers, you certainly roar with style with this cute skirt outfit. Love the blue top with the polka dots on the sleeves and the pocket. It is also a beautiful blue color. The skirt is totally cute with the skinny black and white stripes across it. Once again... best wishes to you in the future, Lily!

I'm Lily, and I'm confused.As a liberal arts grad/endurance athlete/travel enthusiast, I find beauty in many spheres. Consequently, I have no idea where life will lead me. Here is where I document my (mis)adventures. Feel free to join me for the ride.